Historic figures come to life at Marlboro middle school

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Jennifer Vetrano (c), portraying Betsy Ross, tells her story during a "Journey Through Time" presentation at the Marlboro Memorial Middle School. Listening to Jennifer speak are Shaina Fishkind (front left) as Sacajawea, Nitin Bagga (front right) as Ray Charles, Niranjana Kasi (rear left) as Pocahontas, Varthika George (rear center) as Marie Antoinette and Toni Au as Queen Lydia Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian islands. MARLBORO - Historical figures came to life recently with the help of 33 Marlboro Memorial Middle School students.

A PTA fundraiser, "Journey through Time," was held on May 11 at the Marlboro Memorial Middle School, Nolan Road. As part of the event, students selected a historical hero or heroine who they wished to portray and who was studied as part of the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade curriculum.

Individuals who were depicted during the event included Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth, Annie Oakley, Pocahontas, Betsy Ross, Ray Charles, Queen Lydia Liliuokalani of Hawaii and the Beatles.

The fundraiser was divided into two parts. The first part was set up like a museum in which guests had the opportunity to visit with each historical figure.

All of the students were dressed in costume and had prepared a 90-second speech highlighting the individual's life, as well as some fun facts about that period of time.

The second part of the event included a group of narrators introducing the historical figures according to three time periods - ancient civilizations, historical England and modern America.

Each group took the stage and, with musical accompaniment, portrayed each character in mime only.